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Old Jun 30, 2011 | 10:42 AM
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Default Wipers 71

The wipers on my 71 will only work if I open the wiper door with the under dash switch first .

Anyone , where to start first?

Bill
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Old Jun 30, 2011 | 10:54 AM
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From: Austin Tx
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There is a wiper solenoid that is mounted behind the tach. This solenoid, looks a lot like the TCS solenoid, but I'm not sure if it's the same.

The electric wiper motor will not function unless the wiper door is open. You can see the contact by the wiper motor.

My guess is either your solenoid is bad, or one of the vacuum, or the electrical connection was knocked loose.
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Old Jun 30, 2011 | 10:55 AM
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From: Austin Tx
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Here's the solenoid I was talking about.

http://willcoxcorvette.com/advanced_...words=solenoid
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Old Jun 30, 2011 | 11:39 AM
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63 , you need to hear the solenoid click ,then the solenoid needs to dump the vacuum-if someone has plugged the vent port on the solenoid it won't dump the vacuum and work right.
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Old Jun 30, 2011 | 01:14 PM
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Originally Posted by ...Roger...


63 , you need to hear the solenoid click ,then the solenoid needs to dump the vacuum-if someone has plugged the vent port on the solenoid it won't dump the vacuum and work right.
Roger, do you know how to test this solenoid? I've been looking at mine and trying to understand it's purpose.
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Old Jun 30, 2011 | 01:29 PM
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Originally Posted by StingrayLust
Roger, do you know how to test this solenoid? I've been looking at mine and trying to understand it's purpose.
The vacuum flows through the solenoid normally but when 12v is applied the vacuum flow is stopped,this makes the wiper door come up.

testing- vacuum should flow from the metal nipple to the 90 degree down plastic nipple,after you apply 12v and a ground to the 2 electrical spades the flow should stop.

The straight plastic nipple (usually has a block of foam on it)must remain open to bleed off vacuum.

I think Willcox has a good pic and description,I'll see if I can find a link.
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Old Jun 30, 2011 | 01:37 PM
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Here it is. http://willcoxcorvette.com/instructi...function_2.pdf

Willcox has a bunch of help articles on his site.
Go to the Willcox site
Type wipers in the search bar
Click search
Down at the bottom will be Repair and Install Help
Click on "Corvette Headlamp and Windshield Wiper Vacuum Small Parts, How They Operate!"
Then click on Supporting Documentation
Then scroll down to the Tach Solenoid
Lots and lots of good reading in the Repair and Install section
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Old Jun 30, 2011 | 01:39 PM
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From: Austin Tx
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The wiper vacuum system work the same as the headlight system.

These systems have vacuum actuators, and relays. The relays work like electrical (SPST) relays. The vacuum lines that run thru the dash are part of the control line (white stripe) to the relay.

Both the headlights, and the wiper door are designed to fail open, and the relays are designed to place the actuators in the down position when the control line has vacuum. So, the headlight switch, the wiper solenoid, and both the overrides are designed to stop vacuum along the control line when the actuator is supposed to go to the up position.

This is what Roger meant by the solenoid needing to 'dump the vacuum'. You should be able to test the solenoid by applying 12v and see that the airflow thru the solenoid is pulled from the rear, open air/filtered port. Without 12v the rear port should be closed, and air (or vacuum) would flow thru the other 2 ports.

*edit* - Roger beat me too it.
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